iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

Going from MS291 to MS261

Started by firefighter ontheside, July 14, 2019, 07:46:29 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

firefighter ontheside

I think I'm gonna make the plunge.  I've been fairly happy with my 291, but I think I'm gonna sell the 291 and step up to the 261.  My friend wants my 291, so it shouldn't be hard to sell.  Does the 261 come with the same 20" bar as the 291?  Same chain.....325?
Woodmizer LT15
Kubota Grand L4200
Stihl 025, MS261 and MS362
2017 F350 Diesel 4WD
Kawasaki Mule 4010
1998 Dodge 3500 Flatbed

sawguy21

The chain is the same IIRC the bar is the same mount. You are really going to appreciate the difference in weight.
old age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm

gspren

I've been happy with my 261 with a 16" bar, I would consider an 18" but the 16" feels really good and when I need bigger I grab a bigger saw (044) with 20 or 24" bar.
Stihl 041, 044 & 261, Kubota 400 RTV, Kubota BX 2670, Ferris Zero turn

realzed

Yep - I did exactly the same as you are considering and I've never looked back.  Not that I didn't enjoy the 291 I had or how reliable it was or how easily it worked for my purposes - but the 261 seemed like a no-brainer when it came to the extra power and less weight, and it truly has turned out to be a bigger difference than I expected!
I don't really see a whole lot more cutting time per tankful, but I do consider for that duration I do seem to get a lot more accomplished - so I guess it works out better in the long run either way..
I always used a 20" bar and .325 RS chain previously on the 291 and whatever chains I had are still usable on the new 261 now since I also opt'd for a 20" this time around.  
Some told me I would find it unbalanced for doing so, but it isn't as bad as I expected - or maybe because I just got used to a 20"er on the 291 that it feels even better on this one now.
If you are not shy for dollars - you might consider a Stihl Light bar - that would end up being a nice set up for sure..
I think you'll love you new saw choice - just expect to have some fun restarting it if you let it run out of fuel - ask me how I know..

Pine Ridge

You will really like the 261, and thats coming from a husqvarna guy.
Husqvarna 550xp , 2- 372xp and a 288xp, Chevy 4x4 winch truck

barbender

I really like my 261cm, and it's wearing a 16" bar. I've always ran 18 and 20" bars on my small saws, I decided to try the 16 since the saw was set up with it at the dealer. I've never wanted for the extra length, and if I did I'd just get out the bigger saw.
Too many irons in the fire

Two Trax

The 261 is a professional saw, 291 is a farm/homeowner saw. Professional mag case vs plastic clamshell. The 261 is lighter, more powerful, better handling and easily rebuildable. You will be very happy with the 261!
Livin the dream!

firefighter ontheside

It will be good to stay with the .325 bar and chain so I can keep my spare chains.  I will be running a 20" bar.  I have my old 025 with an 18" bar for smaller stuff.  I might consider putting a smaller bar on it.

Run out of fuel?  Who would ever do that?
Woodmizer LT15
Kubota Grand L4200
Stihl 025, MS261 and MS362
2017 F350 Diesel 4WD
Kawasaki Mule 4010
1998 Dodge 3500 Flatbed

DelawhereJoe

Do you have a larger saw or do you not have the trees big enough to need something to run a +24" bar ?
WD-40, DUCT TAPE, 024, 026, 362c-m, 041, homelite xl, JD 2510

firefighter ontheside

There are bigger trees, but I don't feel the need to have something big enough to cut thru in one cut.  I did well enough for a long time with just an 18" saw.  20" is going to be my big saw, at least for now.
Woodmizer LT15
Kubota Grand L4200
Stihl 025, MS261 and MS362
2017 F350 Diesel 4WD
Kawasaki Mule 4010
1998 Dodge 3500 Flatbed

firefighter ontheside

What's the feeling on the MS362?  There's a few of those used for sale in the area?  A little heavier and more power.  Any other notable differences between the two?
Woodmizer LT15
Kubota Grand L4200
Stihl 025, MS261 and MS362
2017 F350 Diesel 4WD
Kawasaki Mule 4010
1998 Dodge 3500 Flatbed

lxskllr

Can't compare the two, but I really like my 362. Gives you the option of a 25" bar.

btulloh

The MS362 is a little bit heavier, but not by much.  It has good weight and balance and it's very comfortable.  I had been using the 026 - which is the previous generation of the 261 - when I bought the 362.  I like the extra power from the bigger saw and it's only a little heavier.  I guess it comes down to what you want and what you'll be doing with it.  It's nice having both, but that is kind of a waste.  I added a MS170 for a lightweight and the combo of the 362 and 170 is a good team.  

They are both good saws and it comes down to preference and what you're doing.  You can't go wrong either way.

HM126

lxskllr

One thing with the 362s... You probably want to get a newer one with the pleated air filter. I heard ghe older style was a little problematicc. My stolen saw was the older style, but I didn't have enough time on it to know if the filter was an issue.

btulloh

What's the price and condition on those used 362's?  

A bigger saw - even 10cc bigger - makes bucking firewood go faster.  I used to have an 044 that I used for bucking.  It was pretty near worn out but still doing it's thing.  It suffered a catastrophic accident somehow while riding in the loader bucket and wasn't worth fixing.  I got by on the 026 for 2 or 3 years and really didn't suffer too bad.  I'm not cutting a huge amount of firewood, so it was no big deal. 
HM126

firefighter ontheside

Well, I've had my 025 for 20 years and that thing still runs strong.  When I got my sawmill I decided I wanted a little bigger saw as a second saw, so I got the 291 with 20" bar.  I've been happy with it, but thought I might be even happier with a pro saw.  Looking at the specs, the 362 weighs the same as the 291.  So, I could get the 362 and not have a change in weight.  There is a 362 and a 362C available used.  One at 450 and one at 500.  One has a cracked part and makes me worry about that.  I like the idea of being able to add a 25" bar down the road.
Woodmizer LT15
Kubota Grand L4200
Stihl 025, MS261 and MS362
2017 F350 Diesel 4WD
Kawasaki Mule 4010
1998 Dodge 3500 Flatbed

btulloh

Sounds like you're headed towards the 362. The 25" bar is nice for trimming. It's a good saw and it sounds like the weight is already factored in.

Pro is always gonna be better tool as long as the cost works out. I think over the long run you save money with the pro saws.

Not sure the used saw is worth saving $250 on. Just depends on condition of course. Never know when you're buying someone else's problems.

HM126

btulloh

Another nice thing about buying the pro saws is you're not forced to buy a certain bar and chain even if you plan to put something different on it. I got the 362cm with the 25" rollomatic bar and an rs loop all for the basic price. I planned to get a 20" bar later but so far I've been happy just keeping the 25 on it.
HM126

lxskllr

Just me, but I wouldn't buy a used saw I intended make a workhorse. I don't trust other people to care for machines, and I don't enjoy mechanical work. I want the saw to be factory correct when I get it. Saws are cheap enough compared to my disposable income, and including projected lifespan, I can take that position.

For a one-off special duty saw, I'd consider used. I was looking for one as an office saw, but the one craigslist flake I contacted didn't get back to me. Ended up with a brand new poulanpro from a pawn shop

DelawhereJoe

When I picked up my 362 c-m it came with a 18" bar on it, great balance with it and cuts so much faster then my old 026. You can get a 9 pin rim sprocket to run your .325 chain, you can even get a 16" 3/8p bar in the 3003 mount for it too.
WD-40, DUCT TAPE, 024, 026, 362c-m, 041, homelite xl, JD 2510

firefighter ontheside

I definitely appreciate the warnings about buying a used saw.  I'll buy a lot of things used, but I've never bought a used chainsaw.  If I buy new, it will likely be the 261.
Woodmizer LT15
Kubota Grand L4200
Stihl 025, MS261 and MS362
2017 F350 Diesel 4WD
Kawasaki Mule 4010
1998 Dodge 3500 Flatbed

HolmenTree

The new version ll MS261CM are very strong for a 50cc saw. I'm running a 16"- 23RSC .325 on mine but have put a 20" ES Light bar with a half used up 33RSC 3/8" chain on it,  and it handled it fine if I'm not in a rush.

It's well broke in now and all I did to it was a mild muffler mod.
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

Pine Ridge

Trade the 025 and 291 in on a new 261 and 362. Put a 16" bar on the 261, 20" bar on the 362, and a 25" bar for the 362 in case you need it for bigger stuff. You would have it all covered if you want to spend that much.
Husqvarna 550xp , 2- 372xp and a 288xp, Chevy 4x4 winch truck

JW IN VA

Here's my .02. I have an MS362C with a 20" bar which cuts everything I Need to cut.Keep a sharp 3/8 chain on it and you're good.
 I have also run an 026 with a 20" bar and .325 pitch which did a real nice job for me until I let it get underwater for a period of time ::) :'(.I also ran a 20" bar on an 028.Couldn't expect it to do big saw work but I was satisfied with it for smaller stuff.
 My MS 250 wears an 18",.325 bar and does a better job than I would expect.I've really been impressed by it.
 If you want a 25" on a 362,get it.Just realize you aren't going to have super performance if you cut full length.You don't really need the 25 unless you want it.A friend,who is a professional logger, cuts just about everything with a 461 and 20" bar.
 Like I said,my .02. In the end,you are the one who needs to be happy with your saw. If you get an MS 261,I think you'll be happy after running an MsS291.Less weight,pro build and great performance.I would have bought one when I bought the 250 but having the 362 and needing to save money

firefighter ontheside

I don't want to spend that much, Pineridge, but that sounds like a great combination.

My 025 has been a great performer for 20 years.  Like your 250 it has impressed me with the 18" bar.  I agree about not needing the 25" bar.  I can cut something that's almost 40" with my 20" bar.  Anything bigger than that I should probably just leave alone.  
Woodmizer LT15
Kubota Grand L4200
Stihl 025, MS261 and MS362
2017 F350 Diesel 4WD
Kawasaki Mule 4010
1998 Dodge 3500 Flatbed

Thank You Sponsors!